Architectural studio OAD presents BPROM, a 641-square-metre summer home perched along a river in suburban Riga, Latvia.
The project includes a two-bedroom main house and an independent annexe with a sauna, steam room, cold plunge pool and guest suite.
OAD draws on traditional Latvian homesteads to create a barn-like form with a bowed thatched roof and a charred timber façade.
This design signals a contemporary craft sensibility.
BPROM: A modern revival of Latvian homestead craft
OAD’s design features a restrained exterior and a vibrant interior.
The exterior materials—reed thatch, timber and metal—help the project blend with the landscape while revealing a bold, modern interior palette.
Material palette and exterior design
The façade uses three main materials: reed thatch, charred timber and metal.
Timber planks are charred to an inky black.
Vertical louvres shade windows and terraces, creating light and privacy control.
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The thatch roof curves over the plan, emphasizing the rural-barn silhouette.
This approach supports sustainable roofing and aligns with Latvian craft traditions.
- reed thatch roofing
- charred timber façade
- vertical metal louvres for shading and ventilation
Interior language: color, light and spatial rhythm
Inside, a vibrant palette of blues and purples references the dragonflies along the nearby river.
These colors appear in wall and ceiling finishes, furniture, curtains and glass screens.
The ground floor has an open-plan living, dining and kitchen space.
A dark blue gabled ceiling anchors the room, with blue kitchen counters and a pastel lilac pantry adding warmth and contrast.
Sliding doors in a fully glazed gable end connect the living space to a sheltered south-facing terrace.
The terrace is organized around a weathered-steel fireplace that serves as a social and thermal focal point.
A two-part program: main house and sauna annexe
The first floor features a blue-ceilinged study and two bedrooms.
The main bedroom is wrapped in pale purple linen curtains beneath a lilac ceiling, creating a sense of retreat.
The independent sauna house includes a circular lounge, wellness facilities and an upper guest bedroom with a terrace.
Both buildings are set on a slightly angled axis to shield the garden from northern winds.
This arrangement ensures comfort across seasons and responds to local climate and site conditions.
Craft revival, sustainability and cultural resonance
OAD presents BPROM as a modern revival of traditional Latvian materials and crafts.
The use of thatched roofing is a sustainable choice that references rural building practices.
The restrained material palette highlights craft over decoration.
By reinterpreting vernacular forms with modern materials—charred timber, reed thatch and weathered steel—the studio creates a residence that respects regional identity and embraces modern spatial organization and material honesty.
Why BPROM matters for contemporary architecture
BPROM shows how a simple exterior can contain a vibrant and detailed interior. It turns seasonal living into a carefully designed experience.
For architects and clients, BPROM offers a guide to balance climate-aware construction, cultural memory, and modern comfort. The project highlights how regional materials and traditional methods can create durable, low-energy buildings in the Baltic region.
It also delivers a modern living space that fits well with the nearby river landscape.
Here is the source article for this story: OAD tops barn-like summer home with thatch roof
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